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THE SOUTHERN REMEDY. 



Governors of Georgia. 

Organization of the Democratic Party. 

Mistaken Policy of the Democrats in 

Buying Doubtful Politicians. 
Connection betw^een the Politics of 
Georgia and of the United States. 



P.Y JAMES H. RODGERS. 



Rntt'VC'l ai'corilin'z' to an Act of Congress in the Clerks' ()ffice of th;; 
Southern District of (reoraia. 



^v. 



THE SOUTHERN REMEDY. 



Governors of Georgia. 

Organization of the Democratic Party. 

Mistaken Policy of the Democrats in 
Buying Doubtful Politicians. 

Connection between the Politics of 
Georgia and of the United States. 



BY JAMES H. EODGEKS. 




JVI ^ C O N : 

PBINTED FOR THE AUTHOR— TELEGRAPH OFFICE. 

1859. 



^>'^^ 



:^A 



PREFA.CE 



In offering to the public the " Southern Remedy," I have maturely 
considered what I believe to be the best interest of the Southern States, 
the Farming Interest particularly, not only pecuniarily but politically^ 
and I believe it the best policy of the people of the South to adopt the 
measure here proposed. 

For the purpose of showing the relation in which the Democratic 
party stand to the Whigs of the Revolution, I have given a list of the 
Governors of Georgia (and their politics), from the settling of the State 
to the present time ; the organization of the Democratic party ; the 
time and the people who organized it ; bad policy of buying doubtful 
politicians, illustrated by several examides ; and each President of the 
United States and the complexion of their administration, which will 
make a short and convenient reference for the politician. 

JAS. H. RODGERS. 



Tal>lo of Oonteixts. 



Chapter I. — Southern Remedy 8 

Chapter II. — Govei'nors of Georgia 6 

Chapter III. — Organization of Democratic Party 10 

Chapter IV. — Mistaken Policy of the Democrats in buying doubt- 
ful Politicians IC 

Chapter V. — Connection between the politics of Georgia and of 
the United States 20 



Oliapter I. 



SOUTHERN REMEDY. 

The Democratic Party has now the responsibility of saving the Uni- 
ted States from the combined power of Northern fanatics, viz., Black Re- 
publicans, Know-Nothings, Whigs, Federalists, and all the disaffected 
of every party in the Union, and it therefore becomes them to com- 
mence the work in earnest, and not again commit themselves to the weak 
and foolish course heretofore pursued by them, of passing resolutions 
in their Conventions to dissolve the ties that bind them to the Union, 
for certain causes, and (when these causes have taken place), of aban. 
doning the grounds first taken, and again to pass similar resolutions, 
but to be again abandoned. These resolutions have given strength and 
encom-agement to fanaticism, and have become a by -word and reproach 
to the State, and to all political parties of the South. Since the power 
is now in the hands of the Democrats, it is a duty they owe themselves 
and their country to preserve the Constitution, which can be effected 
in but one way, viz., by estabhshing a Direct Trade with Europe. This 
individual enterprise cannot succeed under our present commercial re- 
lations. Then let each State, on its own account, through its Legisla- 
ture, begin the work and it will be finished, provided they have the will, 
for the means are at hand to accomplish it. The State should have a 
sufficient amount of scrip struck, founded on its staple productions, 
and to be used for no other purpose than the purchase of these produc- 
tions, or those of the adjoining States having the same staple ; and then 
nothing should be received for the produce, but its own scrip or the 
specie. This will give us a currency that will at all times be at par or 
above par — put us out of the reach of Northern capital, and turn ex- 
change in our favor. To illustrate : say that the Cotton crop of Geor- 
gia, for one year, should be worth only ten millions of dollars ; it would 
save to the farming interest, in interest, seven hundred thousand dol- 
lars, and in exchange, three hundred thousand (besides expenses), and 
from 25 to 50 per cent, on our consumptions. By these means, we 
would be enabled to establish a Direct Trade with Europe ; would have 
no more panics in money matters ; and in a few years would be placed 
in a situation to perfect our system of Internal ImproveTnent, and make 



the South what God and nature designed her to be, viz., the garden 
spot of the world. All this can be done when the people will it. Is it 
not strange, that instead of doing and acting for ourselves, we suffer 
Northern merchants to control our finances entirely, we, all the time, 
paying tribute to them ; and the North continually quarrelling with us 
about our domestic affair's, over which it could have no influence, did 
we not give up the control of our staple productions ? Let us, then, 
unite as one man ; set ourselves right in our commercial relations ; and 
leave to our posterity the heritage which our Revolutionary sires be- 
queathed to us, viz., the Constitution of the United States unimpaired, 
and the blessing of a Constitutional Democracy. To attain this, the 
way is plain. By an Act of the Legislature authorizing the Governor 
to have a sufficient amount of scrip struck to purchase the entire crop 
of the State, and then elect by Legislature, a President for the State, 
and one Director from each Congressional district, whose duty it shall 
be to appoint a Cotton Inspector in each of the following cities, viz., 
Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Brunswick, Darien, Macon, Oglethorpe, 
Albany, Columbus, or any other place that may be required for the 
convenience of the farming interest ; which inspector shall examine all 
the Cotton that may be offered in the market where he is located, and 
certify to a fair valuation of said Cotton, according to quality. Thu.s, 
if the owner wishes to receive Cotton scrip on said valuation, an Agcnt^ 
appointed by the Directors, shall pay a fair price for the Cotton ; the 
scrip to be in bills of from $5 to $100 ; the Cotton thus purchased to 
be sold for specie or scrip. Ff the farmer wishes, of course he has a 
right to sell his Cotton to whoever he chooses, without having it inspec- 
ted ; but, as the intention is to establish a Direct Trade with Europe, 
and at the same time to give the farmer a fair price for his Cotton, it 
will be necessary to have an Inspector, as the State cannot enter into 
competition with the Cotton speculator, but will give a fair price to 
whoever may offer Cotton for sale, whether farmer, street-buj'er or spec- 
ulator; and when it is purchased by the State, it should be held until a 
fair remunerating price can be got for it (covering all expenses), pay- 
ment in every instance to be taken in scrip or specie ; and the Cotton, 
thus purchased, to be put in the European market, unless otherwise 
ordered by a majority of the Board of Commissioners. By securing a 
sound currency in this manner, in a very few years the people will be 
put out of debt, and will be enabled to carry out the system of Internal 
Improvement to the best advantage ; and to establish a system of edu- 
cation, the benefits of which will extend to every child in the State ; 
and then fanatics will hide their heads in confusion and despair — I 



5 

might have added shame, but who ever heard of a fanatic blushing ? 
A thing that has no soul suffer his cheek mantled with a blush ? — nev- 
er ! no, never ! 

For twenty or thirty years, the North has expected to see the South 
take her own business in hand, and adopt a system of trade which 
would deprive the North of the profits of the labor of the South ; and, 
in order to turn the attention of Southerners away from their real in- 
terest, has raised the cry of "Abolition of Slavery," while the people 
of the South have never taken a single step to free themselves from 
Northern rule ; and the financial policy of the Government will be con- 
trolled by Northern capitalists until we throw off the yoke by estab- 
lishing a Direct Trade with Europe. (As to Slavery, it might be said, 
par parenthesis, that labor must be performed by human hands. The 
South chooses the black man for a servant, while the North chooses the 
white man for a slave. Let any disinterested person contrast the con- 
ditions of the two and say which is preferable. The Southerner, for 
his o^vn interest, will guard his negroes from disease, nurse them through 
sickness, and have all needful attention bestowed upon them. They 
have to work for their masters through the day, but at night they seek 
their cabins with no care for the morrow, and when age comes on and 
their labor is of no consequence, the law compels their owners to pro- 
vide for their wants. How different the condition of Northern ser- 
vants ! They are paid their scanty wages, and if, on their way to their 
miserable abodes, they should fall a prey to disease, their aristocratic 
employers feel it in no way incumbent upon them to bestow the least 
notice upon their inferiors ; and j^ct they will gather their families 
around the fireside and read of the cruelties practiced upon the South- 
ern slaves, until they shed tears of sympathy for the "poor benighted 
African," while their own servants, discharged for sickness, probably 
may be starving at their verj^ doors. While the people of the North 
evidently wish Slavery abolished in the South, that they may find em- 
ployment which is now given to negroes, what negro would exchange 
places with a Northern servant ? Not one in ten thousand.) 

And now, fellow citizens of the South, press forward for the salvation 
of your country. Instead of " old issues '' and party divisions, let the 
watchword be " Direct Trade with Europe, and the manner in which it 
is to be effected ;" and at the next election, elect no man who is not in 
favor of this trade ; and when it is established, we shall occupy the place 
our Revolutionary fathers intended — be freemen in fact and not alone 
in name, and may sit under our own " vine and fig tree " and worship 
God in our own way, "while none dare molest or make us afraid." 



6 
Chapter II. 

GOVERNORS OF GEORGIA. 

OGLETHORPE. The o>)jcct of this work is to set forth tlic political 
history of Georgia ; hut as a list of the successive Governors of our 
"Empire State" will he interesting to almost every one, as well as a 
convenient reference, one will here l^e given. The Colony of Georgia 
was taken possession of by British subjects, about the twentieth of Jan- 
uary of the year IVoo, under a Charter from the King of England, 
granted to Gen. James Edward Ogletliorpe, and others. Oglethorpe, 
in person, together v,-ith one hundred and sixteen settlers, in the King's 
name, took possession of the State (the grant extending from Savannah 
to Mississippi), and settled at i'amacraw, where he " marked out a town 
and called it Savannah." He was thus appointed hrst Governor of 
Georgia. On his arrival, he entered into a treaty with the Indians, and 
used all the means in his power to render the settlers comfortable. He 
remained with them until 1748, when he returned to England. 

STEPHENS. The Governorship now devolved upon William Steph- 
ens, who dischargetl, with fidelity, the duties of his office, until forced, 
on account of feeble health, to resign it. He was succeeded by 

PARKER — who held the office of Governor until the surrender of 
the Charter of the Province of Georgia, which took place in 175-i; after 
which the King appointed 

JOHN REYNOLDS— with the title " Captain General and Governor- 
in-Chief of his Majesty's Province of Georgia." He was succeeded bj- 

HENRY ELLIS — "Governor-in-Chief," &c., and under his adminis- 
tration was settled the long dispute between the Bosworths (Creek In- 
dians), and the Colony of Georgia. He was highly esteemed I)y the 
people over whom he presided. lie solicited a recall, which was grant- 
ed, and 

Sir JAMES WRIGHT— was appointed in his place in 17G0. Even 
at that early day, the people of Georgia began to claim the rights of free- 
men, and very soon after the appointment of Governor Wright, the 
spirit of liberty seemed to be infused into the bosoms of a great many 
of the inhabitants of the Colony, and he passed an act, by authority in 
him vested, attainting of "high treason" against tlie King, all persons 
that he believed would attach themselves to what was then called the 
"Liberty Party," by which party he was forced to leave the Colony, and 

JAMES HABERSHAM— succeeded him, by authority of the royal 
commission which commissioned Governor Wright. He was a Royalist 
and strenuously advocated the right of the King to govern the Colony 
of Georgia. He died in 1775, and was succeeded b\'" 

WILLIxVM ER\'EN — who was the first Governor that ever espoused 
the cause of Liberty in Georgia. By his patriotic conduct, he baffled 
the schemes of the Tories, who then had a majority in the Colony, and 



so managed the State affairs, as to keep the government in his own hands 
until he could transfer it to the hands of the Sons of Liberty. 

ARCHIBALD BULLOCH — succeeded Erven, and their principles 
were similar. He was the first man that ever read the Declaration of 
Independence in the State, and publicly advocated American Indepen- 
dence. But this brave patriot was not long permitted to lift his voice 
in behalf of the dearest of human rights. He lived only a few months 
after his appointment, and upon his death, 

BUTTON GWINNETT— was appointed Governor. He was a friend 
of American Lil^erty, and a Signer of the Declaration of Independence. 
He was, unfortunatelv, killed in a duel with Gen. Mcintosh, in 1777. 

JOHN ADAMS TREULl'EN— was elected Governor on the 8th of 
May, 1777, by a large majority over Button Gwinnett. He was a true 
Son of Liberty — foremost among those who advocated the cause of 
American Freedom. In 1780, an act was passed, disqualifying certain 
persons from holding an office in the State of Georgia, and Mr. Treulten 
thereby received the honorable title of '" Rebel Governor." 

JOHN HOUSTON — was elected Governor on the 8th of January, 
1778. He was a warm advocate of the Revolution, and a great terror 
to the Tories. In 1784, he was again elected, and acquitted himself with 
honor in all the. various stations to which he was called. 

JOHN WEREAT— was President of the Executive Council, and 
Acting Governor in 1783. He was a firm friend and faithful supporter 
of the Revolution. 

GEORGE WALTON— was elected Governor in 1779. A true patri- 
ot, he fought the battles of his country, and freely shed his blood in 
defence of her liberties. 

RICHARD HOWLEY— was elected January 4th, 1780. A brave 
upholder of his country's rights ; but, during his administration, the 
British and Tories overrun the country, and he was compelled to leave 
the State. He, therefore, retreated to North Carolina, to escape the 
imprisonment of himself and his Council. 

STEPHEN HEARD — distinguished himself in many hard fought 
battles, in the cause of American Independence, against the Indians 
and Tories. 

NATHAN BROWNSON— elected in 1781, contributed by his pro- 
found talents and inestimable services, to the attainment of the liberty 
we now enjoy. 

JOHN MARTIN — elected in 1782, was one of the first to advocate a 
separation from the British Government. 

LYMAN HALL— elected in 1783, was one of the Signers of the 
Declaration. 

SAMUEL ELBERT — elected in 1785, was a soldier in the Revolution, 
and, as Colonel in the Army, had done his grateful country good and 
able service. 

EDWARD TELFAIR— elected in 1786-7, and again in 1790-3 ; was 
an advocate of Liberty and Independence. 

GEORGE MATTHEWS— elected in 1790, was a commanding officer 
in the Revolution, under Gen. Yv^ashington, and fought with courage 
and bravery the battles of his country. 



GEORGE II ANDLY— elected in 1788, was a Revolutionary soldier, 
a Colonel in the Continental troops. Ho was engaged during the whole 
struggle for Independence, and quitted not the battle-field until our 
" Stars and Stripes " waved proudly over thv free soil of America. 

JAREI) IRWIN — elected iu 1VU(3, was also a Revolutionary Patriot, 
and as commander, has rendered great service to hisi country. In 1797, 
v/hcn the Democratic party was organized, Governor Irwin took an ac- 
tive part in that organization, and may be said to have been at the 
head of that party. The Tories, and those who took British protection, 
became then, and have ever since been, the opposers of Democracy. 

JAMES JACKSON— elected in 1799, refused to take the oath of 
office. 

DAVID EMANUEL— acted as Governor from 1799 to 1802, while 
he was President of the Senate, the office of Governor being at that 
time vacant. 

JOSIAH TATNALL — a true patriot and an espouscr of the Revolu- 
tionary cause. 

JOHN MILLEDGE — was a Revolutionary soldier, and one of the 
band that made a prisoner of Governor "Wright at the commencement 
of the struggle. 

DAVID B. MITCHELL— elected in 1809, was a Scotchman by birth, 
and the first Governor elected iu Georgia that had not taken a part in 
the Revolution. 

PETER EARLY— elected in 1813, was a native of Virginia, but un- 
known in the Revolution. 

W^ILLIAM RABUN— acted as Governor while President of the Sen- 
ate iu 1817, but was elected Governor the same year. He died in 1819. 
^ MATTHEW TALBOT— acted as Governor while President of the 
Senate. He was a Virginian, and came to Georgia about the close of 
the Revolution, and when the Democrats organized, he was one of them, 
and died in 1827, tlie candidate of that party for Governor. The elec- 
tion would have taken place in October. He had no superior in point 
of devotion to the interests of the people, and to the support of the 
principles of Democracy. 

JOHN CLARK — was elected Governor in 1819, and again in 1821. 
A hero in the Revolution, he filled several important Militarj' offices, 
having entered into the service of his country at the early age of 1-1 years. 
By his courage and activity he rose from the rank of Lieutenant in a 
Volunteer Conipan}-, to that of Major, being then only 10. His devo- 
tion to the cause of Liberty, and his determined efforts to defeat the 
schemes of the Tories and the allies of Great Britain, in whatever shape 
the}^ appeared, have won for him the hatred of those against whom lie 
acted, and that hatred was, to the day of his death, unmitigated. All 
that the}^ and their descendants coidd array against him, either by 
false accusations, or iu any other way calculated to injure him, politi- 
cally or personally, has been faithfully tried. He headed the Demo- 
cratic party of Georgia, from the time of its organization till he left the 
State in 1827. He was the pride of the Whigs of tiie Revolution, and 
the Democrats of 1797 to 1827 " delighted to honor him." He died in 



Florida, October loth, 1832. His death was deeply lamented by the 
Democratic party of this State, and was a source of rejoicing to the 
Tories, their descendants and their allies. May his ashes rest in peace 
— his spirit shine in the army of his God in Heaven. 

GEORGE M. TROUP — was elected by the Legislature in 1823— a 
session long to be remembered on account of the traitorous act of two 
of its members, who sold out to what was then called the " Crawford 
party." His birth-place was out of the jurisdiction of the State, said to 
be in what is now Alabama. Although Mr. Troup was not of the " Rev- 
olutionary Stock," he was a man of talent, and long the opposer of 
Democracy, but died one of its warmest supporters. 

JOHN FORSYTH— elected in 1827 by the Troup party, was oppos- 
ed by Matthew Talbot, the Democratic candidate, who died a few days 
before the election, so that Mr. Forsyth was elected without opposition. 
He was very talented, and although he opposed Democracy in Georgia, 
after Mr. Crawford's defeat for President, he became a friend to Jack- 
son's election, an advocate of Jackson's administration, and finally a 
member of Jackson's Cabinet. He was a native of Virginia. 

GEORGE R. GILMER— was elected in 1828. He was an Indepen- 
dent candidate against Joel Crawford, the candidate of the Troup party. 
Gilmer was supported by the Democratic party, and elected by a large 
majority ; but he scarcely recognized that party as a free people, and 
at the next election they defeated him by running a true Democrat, 
Wilson Lumpkin. Gilmer was again elected in 1837. His family was 
unknown in Georgia, during the Revolution. 

WILSON LUMPKIN— was elected in 1830, and again in 1832. He 
was elected by the Democratic part}^, of which he was a member, and 
had been ever since he had arrived to years of maturity. He was a 
Virginian by birth. 

WILLIAM SCHLEY — elected in 1835, was an uncompromising Dem- 
ocrat — a true friend to Georgia. He was defeated in 1837 by Gilmer. 
He lost his election by his irTclination for Internal Improvement, but 
has never surrendered his principles. It can be said of Governor Schley, 
" There is a Democrat of the Old School ; a Strict-constructionist ; one 
of those that make up the salvation of the ITnion, of the State." 

CHARLES J. McDonald— was elected in 1839, and again in 1841. 
A Democrat of the Old School, a Strict-constructionist of the Constitu- 
tion, a States Rights politician of the first order, a son of a Revolution- 
ary soldier, and a jurist of the highest rank ; a friend to his country 
and his country's cause ; a man of the people and the people's man ; 
one whom the Democrats have ever "delighted to honor." Of such a 
man it may be truly said, " He is the noblest work of God." 

GEORGE W. CRAWFORD— was elected in 1843, and again in 1845. 
He was ever an opposer of the principles of Democracy. 

GEORGE W. TOWNS— was elected in 1847 and again in 1849. He 
was a native Georgian, and the son of a Revolutionary soldier. 

HOWELL COBB — wa9»elected in 1851, under the name and style ot 
a "Constitutional Union man," combined with the Whig party to defeat 
the Democrats. althoue^Ii he claimed to belong to the last mentioned 

1* 



10 

party himself. The Whigs thought to get control of the State by using 
Cobb as a tool, and vice versa. It was manifestly the design of both to 
break down the Democratic party ; and perhaps, to organize under a 
new name and rule, the Government of the State; but they were deceiv- 
ed, sorely disappoinlcd. Cobb "dropped back" to the Democrats; the 
AVhigs mostly went into a new organization calling themselves "Know 
Nothings," and some of the Democrats had taken such a stand against 
Democracy that they coidd not "foil 1)ack." A few of our Ex-Judges 
and Ex-Solicitors, and a great many of the "rank and file" took Know 
Nothing protection, and followed in tiie wake of Millard Fillmore, of 
"Erie Letter'' and " Cuba rroclamation " memory, led by %voidd-be 
Gov. Ben. Hill— (25cts. Den). 

HERSCllEL V. JOHNSON— elected in 1853, and again in 1855. 
lie was a true "State's Rights Constitutional Democrat;'' in talent 
unsurpassed by any man of his age in the Cnited States, and if he 
lives, will be known in the councils of the Nation. 

JOSEPH E. BROWN— was elected in 1857. A Democrat of talents 
of the highest order, has just entered upon the duties of his olHco, and 
gives promise to the Democratic party that the confidence reposed in 
him Avill not be abused. His star is in the ascendancy, and he bids fair 
to become the most popular Governor that has ever presided over the 
interests of our cherished State. 

Thus we've had in Georgia, since the settlement of the State bj- Brit- 
ish subjects in 1T3.">, forty -five (45) Governors — 7 Royalists, 21 Revolu- 
tionists, 10 Democrats, and 7 "Anti-Democrats," " Consolidationists," 
"Modern Whigs," "Know Nothings," " Eederalists," or unylhing but 
Democrats. 



Oliapter III. 

ORGANIZATION OF TIIE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. 

A sketch of the political history of Georgia, up to the time of the 
Revolution, has been given in the preceding chapter. AV^ith Thomas 
Jefferson for a leader, the Democratic party was organized in 171*0-7, 
just twenty-one years from the commencement of the Revolution, which 
l)eriod seems to have been noted for change in the State of (Georgia. 
The Royalists were called "Tories," and thus there were two distinct 
parties in Georgia in 1775, and they have remained so till the present 
day (1858). There was, also, a third party, which must not be over- 
looked, viz. those who took British protection, daring the Revolution, 
and who, in their own opinion, were superior to either Whigs or Tories. 
Loyalty to the Crown forbade their fighting for liberty, and cowardice 
forbade their fighting for the King, notwithstanding they proudly called 



11 

themselves his "loyal subjects." They were, and their descendants 
have ever been, most violent opposers to Democracy. They seem to 
regai'd its very name with a kind of holy horror, and almost scringe 
when they hear its principles advocated. Their feeling is probably 
akin to that experienced by their ancestors, when they expected to feel 
the very agreeable sensations of the hangman's cord about their necks, 
on account of their opposition to liberty, and although the Whigs of 
the Revolution not onlj- spared their lives, but made them equals in all 
the rights of freemen, yet they, together with the descendants of the 
Tories, have ever kept up a separate organization, under some name 
which clearly defines their opposition to Democracy. At the close of 
the Revolution, and after the Confederation, the Revolutionary party 
gained the ascendency, and retained the government of Georgia, by 
keeping a Revolutionary soldier at the helm as Governor, until 1809, 
when D. B. Mitchell, a Scotchman by birth, and one who came to Am- 
erica after the Revokition, was elected Governor. 

About this time, the Democratic took the name of the " Clark party," 
and the opposition partj^ that of the "Crawford party." The assuming 
of the names, "Clark" and "Crawford," grew out of a personal diflB- 
culty between WiUiam H. Crawford, whose family took British protec- 
tion in the Revolution, (see "Sherwood's History of Georgia,") and 
John Clark, the son of Gen. Elijah Clark, a Revolutionary patriot, who 
proved his devotion to freedom's cause hj many battles, bravely fought. 
John Clark was not only the son of a hero, but a hero himself. He 
enlisted at the age of fourteen, and by his bravery and address, was 
honored with the appointment of Major before he was sixteen, and the 
Tories of the Revolution dreaded and feared Jack Clark, (as he was 
then called), and their descendants hate the name of Clark, up to the 
present daj^, (1858). Tlic quarrel grew out of charges preferred against 
Clark by Judge Tait, and Crawford. Tait w\as then presiding Judge 
of the Superior Court, and at a Court held m Green Co., had induced 
a man by the name of McLeary, (or something of the sort,) to make a 
confession, implicating the character of Gen. John Clark. Clark re- 
ceived notice of their friendly proceedings while in Wilkes Co., and 
immediately set out for Greensbo^-ough, but met Judge Tait at Bowling 
Green, on his way to Lexing-^on, whither Crawford had preceded him. 
When met by Clark, Tait was ordered to alight from his carriage, which 
he accordingly did, snd Mr. Clark, then and there, Jiorseichipped him, 
until he (Clark) was satisfied that he could bear it no longer. 

He then " let him go," and proceeded to Lexington, with the inten- 
tion of settling with Mr. Crawford, probably in the same manner, but 
was met by a friend of Crawford's with a challenge to fight a duel. 
Clark accepted it, upon condition that they should fight until one of 
them was killed. This, Mr. Crawford agreed to, and a place of meeting 
was appointed. (West bank of Apalachee river, then the boundary line 
between the Whites and Indians.) On t'ne eve of the meeting, for some 
cause unknown to us, Mr. Clark's second, John Forsyth, informed him 
that he " could not attend him." This intelligence, however, was not 
productive of the expected result, for Mr. Clark instantly replied, that 



12 

he "expected to do his own fighting, and could easily dispense with 
his services." The duelists met at the place appointed, and at the lirst 
fire Clark's ball took etlect and shattered Crawford's arm, upon which 
he (Crawford) refused to fijiht any longer. This ended the personal 
quarrel, but the citizens of Georgia took the names of "Clark" and 
"Crawford," the Democrats being "Clark men," and the opposers of 
Democracy "t'rawford men." Under the organization of 1707 the Clark 
party took the name of "Democratic party," and the opposition party 
called themselves "Federalists," until the election of ^Ir. Jefferson, 
whose popularit}^ caused those in Ck'orgia to change their name to 
"flelfersonian licpublicans." This was the situation of the parties 
when Mr. JSIadison was elected President of the United States and ^var 
measures began to agitate the country'. The people then assumed dif- 
ferent attitudes — the Democrats were in favor of a war with Great 
Britain, and the "Anti-Democrats" became the peace party, were op- 
X)osed to war, and did all they could to justily the Dritish (Government 
in the course pursued in relation to pressing our seamen into their 
service. -\.fter war was declared, there was organized in Ceorgia a 
strong company for the purpose of providing the British with provi- 
sions, cotton, (tc. Iliis illicit trade was carried on hj' a part of the 
citizens of Georgia, while another part were lighting the battles of our 
Country, to secin-e the liberty for which their forefathers freely shed 
their blood and spent their treasures. But as it is tlecreed that "all 
things must have their end," so had this business of smuggling, in the 
year 1813. The army, marching through the lower part ol the State, 
came upon the allies of Great Britain who were engaged in the trade, 
captured a part of their goods and made the discovery that they had 
smuggled many more, and had them deposited in different parts of the 
State. Information and proof of the same were given to the Legisla- 
ture during the session of 1<S13, but the interests of the smugglers were 
sufficient to secure them Legislative protection, and a resolution was 
passed that their proceedings should not be inquired into. (See resolu- 
tion on pages 1224-25 of " T,amar's Digest.") Another cause of divi- 
sion among the people of (k-ovoja, grew out of the decision of the 
Judges of tiie Superior Court, relative to a law of the Legislature, call- 
ed the "alleviating law," passed in 1812. There were then in the State 
seven judges — six of them Crawford men, und one. Judge Dooly, a 
Clark man. The six Crawibrd judges pronounced the "alleviating 
law" to be "unconstitutional," and commanded the coUectin"- officers 
to proceed Avitli their business, disregarding the act of Ibe Lesiislature- 
while Dooly decided that those inh/.s circuit should be governed by the 
Legislature, which decision rendered him ver}' popular, so that at the 
next election Dooly and six other judges belonging to the Clark party 
were elected, and the six Crawford judges were defeated. From the 
time of that election, till the election of judges was given to the people, 
every man was obliged to say for whom he would vote for judge, and 
as a party man, was to vote for a judge of his own party. It has always 
been the business of Anti-Democratic Judges to 0])press Democrats, 
whenever they were able either to injure them pecuniarily or otherwise. 



18 

They seem to regard it as a religious duty, if possible, to avenge them- 
selves on the descendants of the Whigs of the Revolution for the vic- 
tory their fathers obtained over the British and Tories. They consider 
it a tribute of respect to the memory of their ancestors, and they never 
permit an opportunity to escape. If they confined themselves to " fair 
means," their conduct would be less reprehensible. But we will pass 
on to further proof of their opposition. Although they opposed the 
war with all the warmth of spirit they could muster, until its close, 
such were the national advantages gained by it, that they changed their 
position, and all at once, became in Georgia " Jeffersonian Republican 
Democrats," while their Northern brethren styled themselves " National 
Republicans." They were still allied, however, but as the smuggling 
of merchandize was done away with by a declaration of peace, it was 
thought more protitable to smuggle African negroes ! So they organ- 
ized a company, with the Governor at the head of it, when he resigned 
his office and accepted the appointment of " Creek Indian Agent," and 
located at the Creek Agency on Flint River, (now in Crawford Co.) and 
placed an agent at St. Marks, in Florida. 

The}^ commenced the opei'ation of shipping negroes from Africa and 
landing them in Florida, (which was then a Spanish province,) and hav- 
ing them brought up to Flint River Agency, by Indians to whom they 
gave a bill of sale. They were then taken to Louisiana, Mississippi, 
and Alabama, and sold as "low country Georgia negroes." Thus, 
thousands were introduced contrary to the laws of the United States, 
but this trade was at last detected, and while John Clark was Governor 
of Georgia he sent proper information to Washington and had the 
Creek Agent removed, and all of the negroes found at that agency (about 
350) taken and sold, and the money deposited in the treasurj^ of the 
State. There were others taken at Savannah and not yet sold, when 
a suit was commenced in the United States Court against the State of 
Georgia, by a man under the name of "Juan Madraza," for the recov- 
ery of the negroes and money, which suit was progressing when the 
Crawford party received power by the purchase of two traitors, whom, 
we blush to say. were elected as Clark men or Democrats. The Legis- 
lature then passed a resolution to pay the money for which the Africans 
had been sold, and to deliver those not yet sold to William Bowen, the 
agent in the African speculation, upon his filing in the executive office 
a receipt from the man "Juan Madraza," in full for the negroes taken 
by the authority of the State. (See resolution on page 56 of Dawson's 
Digest). But it was now discovered that Madraza was a fictitious name, 
only used to cover that of the real smuggler, and the Crawford party, 
under a new name, viz. the "Troup party," passed the aforesaid reso- 
lution, thinking they would, at least, redeem the State from any stain 
that might rest upon her, and take it upon themselves, taking the mo- 
ney and negroes from Madraza the Spaniard, and giving them to Wil- 
liam Bowen as above said. (Sec Dawson's Digest, page 05.) Thus the 
actions of this party show their devotion to the Union in 1825-6 to be 
the same as in 1813 in relation to smuggled goods. Thus through the 
war of 1812, we find the division between the parties as clearly marked 



14 

as during the Revolution. ^\^e see the Democrats fighting for their 
country, while the opposition part}' are feeding the enemy, oppressing, 
by the decisions of their jud2;cs, the soldiers fighting in their countr3''s 
cause, violating the laws of tiie United States by introducing Africans 
into < Jeorgia, and protecting smugglers b}' resolutions passed by their 
Legislature and sanctioned by the Governor. (See Dawson's Digest.) 
in 1819, John Clark, he whose name the Democrats had adopted, and 
whom they ever "delighted to honor" for his patriotic service in the 
Kevolution, was elected Governor of Georgia. This election aroused 
the part}^ opposed to Democrac}^ to renewed elTorts, to injure, in every 
possible way, Clark himself, or the party tiiat supported him. Mr. 
Crawford had for some time aspired to the Presidency, and, in order to 
secure the vote of Georgia, it was necessary to put down the Clark par- 
ty ; so the Crawford party had a Convention which was attended by 
Mr. Crawford himself, and Martin Van Buren, when the "Abercrombie 
resolutions" were adopted. Agreeablj^ to these resolutions the party 
appointed a committee in every county in the State, with orders to attend 
all the elections, and get a candidate to call himself a "Crawford man," 
thenJ;o use ever}' exertion to procure his election, and thus to secure the 
interests of the party. Orders were then given to the Inferior Courts, 
to turn every Democrat out of the Grand Jury's box. It was then made 
the duty of the Grand Jury to endeavor, in all cases, to bring charges 
against Clark men, and, if posssible, to hnd true bills against them, but 
if they toould chavge their politics, to release them. They, further, 
took the Sheriff of the State into their "care and keeping," and when- 
ever he had money to collect, if the defendant was a Democrat, and 
would promise to vote for the Crawford party at the next election, all 
possible leniency was to be shown him, so as not to force payment un- 
til after the election. They also appointed missionaries for the new 
counties that were then being organized, whose business it was to tra- 
duce the character of the Clark party, by every means in their power, 
and to caution all new-comers against forming an intimacy with any of 
tliat party, representing them as anything but honest or honorable, and 
getting strangers to call themselves "Crawford men." Thus, by the 
above organization, they got the political power from the hands of the 
Democratic party, and retained the Executive and Legislative, from 
1824 to 1830, when the "Troup party," as it was then called, showed its 
devotion to the Laws and Constitution of the United States, by going- 
info ludlification, as in 1813; by feeding the Er-itish while at war against 
their country, as in 1825-20; by protecting the smugglers of Africans. 
In 1830, the Democratic party gained the power in both the Execu- 
tive and Legislative departments which they retained for six years. In 
1836, the opposition to Democracy under the name of "States llights 
men," again succeeded in the State's election, and under that adminis- 
tration, the great "Whig party was organized for National purposes, viz: 
lo defeat the Democrats of the United States in the l*rcsidential election, 
to come off in 1840. 'J'his organization took all the disaffected of all 
parties throughout the United States — the Federalists, who had assumed 
the name of National Republicans — Abolitionists — Anti-Masons — Uni- 



15 

ted States Bank Men, and every other name that had been arrayed 
against Democracy, and in Georgia, the Crawford or Troup party— the 
NuUifiers on832— the States' Rights men of 1834, Whigs or "Coons," 
and "Tariifmen" in 1837. 

In 1850, the Constitutional Union party was organized for the defeat 
of the Democratic, not from principle, for to this day, we have never 
seen an opposer to Democracy who was in favor of the Constitution.— 
This organization was not confined to one State, but was seized by the 
opposers to Deuiocrac}' in all the Southern States ; and in Georgia, it 
took from the Democratic party about ten thousand votes, Avhich, how- 
ever, they recovered with interest as soon as it was ascertained that the 
above mentioned party was only a deeply laid scheme to secure the elec- 
tion of Millard Fillmore. But the organization of that party v/as a 
death-blow to Fillmore. The Northern Yv'higs believing he had sold 
himself to tlie South, gave him up and nominated Scott, but Gen. Scott 
had actually disobeyed the "Whigs, gone to Iviexico, and fought the bat- 
tles of his country, which forfeited all claims to the confidence of that 
portion of AVhigs in Georgia that clung to Daniel Webster, the strong- 
est pillar of the Federalists, although he was dead. Their failure in 
that election, and the divisions caused by running both a Scott and a 
Webster ticket, compelled them to re-organize. With its heads. Clay 
and Webster, the "Whig party had fallen, and there were none left who 
were able to control it. To have Governor Seward, of New York, for a 
leader, was out of the question, for though his principles were such as 
they gloried in, yet his honesty in avowing them had rendered him so 
unpopular in Georgia and the other Southern States, that a meeting was 
called in Philadelphia, and an organization formed under the name of 
"Know Nothings," in the Southern States ; "Native ximericans," in a 
part of the North and West, and in the rest of the North and North- 
West, "Black Republicans." Thus, by this organization, they thought 
to get all of the V/higs and a part of the disaiiected Democrats, by 
which they expected to carry the Presidential election for 1850. But 
change of name had lost a great deal of its novelty, and Know Nothing- 
ism was a complete failure in the South, Maryland excepted, which 
State proved loyal to Federalism under all its assumed names, and gave 
a Know Nothing vote to Millard Fillmore, for President, notwithstand- 
ing he had never denied being the author of his "Erie letter," his "Tex- 
an boundary position" in 1850, and his "Crittenden proclamation," in 
relation to Cuba, denying the Crittenden company the Constitutional 
protection of the United States, which had been given by a special 
ti'eaty with Spain — the right of a trial by Jury, for any offense, no mat- 
ter how great, as well as the right to choose his own counsel. Yet, by 
authority of a proclamation issued by Millard Fillmore, the Spanish au- 
thorities of Cuba shot down fifiy-two American citizens, without trial 
of any sort, by order of the Captain General of Cuba, who, when an ef- 
fort was made to interfere in belialf of the prisoners, produced the pro- 
clamation of the President of the United States, as ample authoritj^ for 
his proceedings. And yet, Mainland gave him her vote, and the Know- 
Nothings of Georgia would have done the same, had the power been 



16 

theirs. So we see that opposition to Democrac)' in our State, is as 
strong in 1857 as in 1776, and it is from the descendants of the same race 
of people, which has, from the commencement of the Kcvohition to the 
present day, (1858) under (hiferent names, opposed tlie principles of 
Democracy from the first of its organization. 



Chapter IV. 

MISTAKEN POLICY OF THE DEMOCRATS IN BUYING DOUBT- 
FUL POLITICIANS. 

In this chapter will be given a sketch of the conduct of several indi- 
viduals, which will illustrate that of a great many, sliowino; in what 
manner the Democratic party has been weakened hitherto, and we 
humbly trust it will serve as a caution in future. 

First, let us present the case of one who was the son of a Revolution- 
ary soldier — "rocked in the cradle of Democracy." About the time of 
his majoritj^, party spirit ran high, and he, being of a timid nature, and 
living in a county strongly arrayed against Democracy, took no deci- 
ded part as a politician until influenced by his friends and relatives to 
become a "Crawford man." This put him in business as an Attorney, 
and he ibllowed the fortunes of that party — was elected to the Legisla- 
ture in 1832, and helped them organize the Senate with Xulliliers, but 
Mr. Forsyth's appearance, and his speech, delivered in the Methodist 
Church at Milledgeville, changed his course, and he became a strong 
"Union man," and actually rejoiced that he had again fallen into the 
ranks of Democracy. He remained a member of the Democratic party 
until the organization of the Whig or "Coon" party, with which he was 
so much delighted, that he became one of its missionaries, and went all 
over the State to abuse A'an Buren and the Sub Treasury, altliough he 
had been one of the foremost individuals in the State lo have Van Bu- 
ren nominated, ife followed the "Coon family," ui;(il their skins be- 
came worthless in Georgia, and their /ai/s amputated by their own trap, 
John Tyler. He then began to sec something very inviting in the "Polk 
berry," so that the next we hear of him, he is (igain a Democrat, repu- 
diating the "Coon," the "Cider," the "Pepper," the '-('lay," and all that 
belongs to Whiggery, even Daniel ^Vebster. This was from 1832 to 
184:5. He had been a "Troup man," a "Troup Union man," a "Van 
Buren Democrat," and "Coon-skin Whig," but now, he knew that the 
truest political principles were those of Democracy, and the Democrats 



17 

having confidence in him, gave him an office of trust and profit (1849.) 
But, (Oh instabihty, thy name is changeable politician .') we next find 
him aUied to the ancient enemy of Democracy, and now, in his own 
proper name, with official honors conferred by the Democratic party, he 
makes an assault against Democracy through the public Journals of the 
State, with all the venom of a fiend of the "lower regions," and if a pufi" 
of his poisonous breath could have obliterated the name of Democracy 
and blasted it forever, it would not have been withholden. But the idol 
who had wrought this change in this Georgian, this man of "great re- 
nown," was Millard Fillmore, who, by gaining the confidence of Geor- 
gia and Mississippi, had lost that of the Whig party of the United States, 
and Gen. Scott had been nominated, but our hero being too high-mind- 
ed to support a man who "fought the poor Mexicans," cast his suffrage 
for the great leader of the Federalists of the United States, (1852) Dan- 
iel Webster, (dead. ) Here was opened for him an extensive field for 
the abuse of Franklin Pierce. He called him "Red Republican," "Ab- 
olitionist," and every other name malignity could invent. During 
Pierce's administration, this man of "Erie letter," &c., was candidate 
for the last order of the old Federal party, viz : the Know Nothing par- 
ty, and in Georgia, our "individual," again, "took the stump," and 
showed his devotion for that party by his many speeches and his con- 
stant 'lectioneering for Fillmore. The last we heard of him he was cur- 
sing the Irish, and was firmly convinced that they will ruin the coun- 
try, unless the Constitution be altered to prohibit their becoming citi- 
zens under 21 years' residence, although his grand-father was a native 
of Ireland. Thus, every year has the Democratic party been weakened 
by such members as the above mentioned. They claim to bring strength 
to the party by voting with it, and expect an office for the first vote, 
and if they fail to get one, they accuse the Democrats of ingratitude, 
and immediately commence to abuse them. I would say to the Demo- 
crats, pay them in money ^ (if you pay them at all,) but not in office^ for 
a bought white man is very poor property. If he has sold himself once, 
he will sell again, if it be to his interest. '"Buy not at all." If a man 
is in principle a Democrat, j'ou cannot make him anything else, and 
vice versa. 

About this time there were some honest changes in the ranks of the 
Whigs. They believed that justice required of the South, united ac- 
tion, and, accordingly, fell in with the Democrats, and have remained 
firmly fixed in their principles, but I would mention some changes not 
of the above order, which took place in strong Democratic counties. I 
will give the history of one Whig, who, in certain respects, has but too 
many brothers in Georgia. About the time of Gov. Town's call for a 
Convention, this individual took strong grounds against the Convention, 
and said that Towns ought to be turned out of office for calling it, not- 
withstanding he was forced to do so by the imanimous vote of both 
branches of the Legislature of 1849. The Whig party had taken the 
name of "Constitutional Union Men," and had put out their candidates, 
not having the one of whom we speak among them. For this, he felt 
himself slighted by his party, and determined to seek revenge. This, 



18 

he whispered to a friend who immediately acquainted the Democrats 
with the state of the disappointed Whig's feelings. Here, certain Dem- 
ocrats, who felt called upon to purchase Whigs, whenever they were in 
the market, made the proposition to put him at the head of their party, 
provided he wouldjoin them in opposition to the Constitutional Union 
Party, lie replied, that under the name of a Democrat, he could not 
join them, for he had always opposed them in name and principle; but 
if they would assume the name given them by the Whigs, "Fire Eaters," 
lie would make one of them. The Democrat to whoni the offer was 
made agreed to his proposals, as though he considered it a great acqui- 
sition to have so distinguished a person in his party, and as the purcha- 
ser thought the people were getting tired of their name, and that the 
\Vhig would bring strength to the part}', (probably onf. vote, besides 
his own, to tlie utter loss of about ;i50) he (the Whig,) was formally re- 
ceived as a "Fire Eater," and by that purchase, the county was lost to 
the Democrats, at the election for Delegates to the State's Convention, 
and came very near bemg lost at the next election for members of the 
ijcgislature and Governor. In 1851, the Legislature met, and behold ! 
a majority of Democrats was i-eturned. A Convention was held by the 
mcn»bers, and they agam took the name of Democrats; this rather stag- 
gered our "purchase," but he thought the thing might wear on awhile 
without his taking a name that he so cordially despised, and that he 
would remain neutral until the next election for Governor: probably 
something would happen before that time, so that he would be ready to 
take either side. It chanced that the Democrats were successful in 
electing a Governor and Legislature, and this person, the subject of re- 
mark, joined the crowd, and at last hallooed for Democrac}'. lie ob- 
tained an office in the Legislature, for which he received a very good 
sahuy, and actually held out a Democrat till the end of the session, but 
the name had become extremely burdensome to him, and he resolved to 
drop it as soon as opportunity afforded. So in the Summer, before the 
next general election, he declared himself for the temperance candidate 
for Governor, (1855) and pledged his vrord that that candidate was not a 
Know Nothing. (We suppose he was deceived in this, for that same 
candidate was in 1857, a Know Nothing candidate for Representative in 
llie county in which he resides.) He remained, however, a Democrat, 
long enough to find out the corruption of the party and to be confirmed 
in the principles of his old l)arty, viz : that the people are incapable of 
judging who shall be their officers, especiallj^ the Democrats who elect 
sucii men as Jefferson, Madison, I\Ionroe, Jackson, Polk, Pierce and Bu- 
chanan for President, and for Governor, such as Clark, Lumpkin, Schley, 
JMcDonald, Towns, Johnston and Brown. He sundered all ties that 
bound him to Democracy, by taking the stump for Ben Hill, the Know 
Nothing candidate for Governor. We hope that the Democratic party 
will never again condescend to purchase a member, for one that would 
sciU himself, they arc compelled to doubt, and can never feel safe in trust- 
ing him, as they know he must be a stranger to true political principles. 

But there is another case in point — another individual whose charac- 
ter will reflect that of a great many politicians ofCJeorgia. He was 



19 

raised in the ranks of the party opposed to Democracy until he was ad- 
mitted to the bar. He then changed his residence and poUtics, and in 
1835 became a strong advocate for Democracy. In 1850, he was a 
States' Rights Democrat. He had been several times a Democratic Re- 
presentative in the State Legislature, and as he was of an aspiring na- 
ture, the oflSce of Judge, or Solicitor would have retained him in their 
ranks, but it seems they hadn't sufficient confidence in him to give him 
either of these offices, and he, knowing that they had adopted the policy 
of buying douhtjul politicians, and thinking he had served long enough, 
without substantial pay, formally withdrew from them. But unfortu- 
nately, the Whig party was just about to "give up the ghost," and so 
our politician had the honor of being leit party less, (if such an expres- 
sion be allowed,) for a short time. The name of "Federalist" had gone 
down, the name of "National Republican" had shared the same late, 
the name of "Native American" had been "blighted to obscuritj-," 
and upon the ruins of them, the Whig party was adopted ; but 
alas ! it, too, had departed this life with its leaders. Clay and Webster, 
and there was nothing left only Black Republicans and Know Nothings, 
and our hero joined the Know Nothings, in whose ranks he is now safe- 
ly ensconced, and we hope he will publicly espouse the Know J^sothing 
cause during the remainder of his political cereer, so that when the De- 
mocrats meet with him, they will know him. In other States, as well 
as Georgia, such characters have weakened the Democratic partj^ — 
They occupy the same place these days, that those who took British 
protection did, in the days of the Revolution, the latter of which did the 
cause of liberty more injury, than the Tories, who took up arms and 
fought the Whig Party face to face. As they were all the time in fear 
of one party or the other, and were compelled to do the dirty work of 
the British, so those who have taken Know Nothing protection, will be 
forced to do the drudgery of tlie party, and they are more to be guarded 
against than the old stock that have alwaj'S opposed Democrac}^ We 
would say to you, "Go, in peace," and remain where you arc, where 
God and natm-e designed you should be, viz : in the ranks of the oppo- 
sersto Democracy and religious liberty — Federalists or Know Nothings. 
One more illustration, and we leave them. I will, in this instance, 
give a sample of many who have travelled the same road. He was a 
Democrat of the old Liberty Stock of "76, but he has fallen from that 
high estate which all freemen are born "heir to." He was raised in the 
ranks of the Democratic party, and followed their fortunes from earliest 
infancy. He delighted in the name of Clark, and had it been necessary, 
would freely have shed his blood in defence of the principles of Democ- 
racy. He was Captain of the "Polk stalk companj%" in his county, 
and paraded in all the adjoining counties. He was a true "States' Rights 
Democrat," in 1850, and was very popular in his county, but his popu- 
larity was greatly diminished ))y a personal difficulty with an inliuen- 
tial Democrat, and in an evil hour he threw himself upon the Know 
Nothings for protection, by becoming one of them. But they were not 
able to regain for him his former political footing, and although, by his 
own act, he was thrown from the ranks of Democracy, he is now abu- 



'20 

sing the Democrats for their injxratitutle towards him. Can it be possi- 
ble that a man may have a soul for years and then lose it? If it may, 
we are constrained to believe that the individual above described is in 
that forlorn condition — soul forsaken ! And yet he is permitted to live 
upon earth, probably as a warning to all Democrats who would join the 
ancient enemy. 



-"^-♦♦-♦-♦-»--^- 



Chapter V^. 

CONNECTION BETWEEN THE POLITICS OF CEOROIA AND 
OF THE UNITED STATES. 

In order to show the connection between the politics of (ieorgia and 
of the General Government, it is necessary to give a short sketch of the 
complexion of the different administrations, from the first organization 
of the General Government to the present time. 

On the 80th April, 1789, George AVashington nas inaugurated first 
President of the United States, having been unanimously elected by 
the people of the ten States that voted in tlie Electoral College. Per- 
haps no other could have, at that time, sustained the Constitution in a 
manner satisfactory to the people. He had taken the lead in the Revo- 
lution, fought the battles and gained the victory for them, and such was 
the confidence reposed in him, that though the divis:icn was great, they 
all seemed content to let matters rest in his hand-. lie was again 
elected in 1793, unanimously as before, and served for two terms (eight 
years). In order to give general satisfaction, he selected his cabinet 
from different parties, and, by so doing, allayed m some degree the 
strife raised in Congress on different political questions. On the 8d 
March, 1797, his term of office expired, and he retired to private lite, 
beloved by all, and claimed hj both parties as their head. 

JOHN ADAMS — who had been twice Vice President, was inaugur- 
ated on the 4th March, 1797. He took a decided stand in politics, and 
was a Federalist. His administi'ation is mcmoral)le on account of the 
" Alien and Sedition laws," which created a great deal of discontent 
among the people and caused a permaneiit division between the two 
parties, which liave remained distinct from that day to this. He served 
one term and was a candidate for a second, but was defeated by 

THOMAS JEFFERSON— who had been Vice President under his 
administration. Previous to his election as President, the Democratic 
party was organized (in 1797), with Mr. Jefferson for its leader. He 
was inaugurated on the 4th Marc.-h, 1801, ^».nd administered the Govern- 
ment on Democratic principles. He was re-eiected in 1804, and served 
ibr eight years, his popularity increasing from the time of his Ih-st 



21 

election till he went out of office. During his administration, there 
were few men in the Southern States, who acknowledged themselves 
Federalists. They dropped their name and assumed that of "National 
Republicans." Mr. Jeft'erson was succeeded by 

JAMES MADISON— who was inaugurated 4th March, 1809. He 
served eight years, and was in principle a true Democrat. Under his 
administration was commenced the war of 1812, between the United 
States and Great Brita,in. The Federalists bitterly opposed this war, and 
soon after its commencement they met at Hartford, and re-organized, 
(the greater portion of the National Republicans again assuming the 
name of Federalists,) passing resolutions which made it the duty of all 
belonging to the party to assist the British by all possible means, and 
to hoist blue lights to pilot them to our shores. But notwithstanding 
this opposition, the war was prosecuted, and successfully terminated, 
greatly to the advantage of the United States. Mr. Madison's war 
measures at length became popular with all parties, so that the North- 
ern Federalists became "National Republicans" and those in the South 
" Jeffersonian Republicans." He closed his administration with great 
popularity, and was succeeded by 

JAMES MONROE — who was also a Democrat, and who served for 
eight years. He was first inaugurated on 4th March, 1817. He was 
deservedly popular with the people of the United States for his zealous 
co-operation with Madison. He was succeeded by 

JOHN Q. ADAMS — who was elected, not by the popular vote, but 
by the House of Representatives. The candidates for this election were 
Jackson of Tennessee, Crawford of Georgia, Clay of Kentucky, and 
Adams of Massachusetts ; but as neither of them were elected in the 
Electoral College, the decision devolved upon the House, and was ter- 
minated as above stated. He was inaugurated on the 4th March, 1825. 
He possessed the confidence of the two preceding Presidents, and had 
a mixed Cabinet, yet such was his inclination for Internal Improve- 
ments, (which had always been a measure of the Federal party), that 
the Federalists jravc him their entire support, and this, together with 
his favoring of the abolition petitions, caused him to lose the confidence 
of all the Southern States. At the next election the Democratic party 
declared for 

ANDREW -TACKSON — who was elected by an overwhelming ma- 
jority. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and Commander General of 
the American Army at New Orleans in the war of 1812, was a Denio- 
crat from the organization of that party, and never swerved from the 
support of its principles. He was inaugurated on the 4th March, 1829, 
and served two terms. During his administration the money power 
undertook to control the Government, through the United States' Bank 
and its agencies, but by his determined efibrts he prevented this, by 
removing the deposits of the Genei*al Government from the Bank and 
vetoing the bill for the recharter of that bank. He was, in reality, at the 
head of the nation, taking the whole responsibility upon himself. His 
Cabinet was for his use, not to use him. If they did not appear dis- 
poseii to hare rigU done, they should not have wrong — he re-organize4 



22 

his Ciibinet for the purpose of carrying out his own principles. By 
liis cncrffv and perseverance he put down the ])rinciples of Nullifica- 
tion, which caused him to have a great many enemies, but nothing 
could change liis course, lie went smoothly through his administra- 
tion, and the gratitude of the nation is now his. His memory is em- 
balmed in the hearts of all true Democrats. 

MARTIN VAN BUREN — succeeded Jackson, and was inaugurated 
on -1th March, 1837, and was the first President that had not taken a 
part in the Revolutionary war. lie was a warm supporter of Jackson's 
administration, and was himself a Democrat. Under his administra- 
tion the Sub-Treasury was established, which caused him to be very 
unpopular, and defeated him at the next election, but that measure is 
now regarded with favor by all parties, and is the settled policy of the 
Government. Inniiediately after his election the great Whig partji- was 
organized for the purpose of defeating the Democratic party of the 
United States, and so far succeeded, as, at the next election, to elect 

AVILLIAM HENRY HARRISON— who was inaiigurated on 4th 
March, 1841. It is not well known what course he would have pur- 
sued, as his death pi-evented his taking any special measures ; but so far 
as was in his power, he had endeavored to carry out the designs of the 
AVhig party. He lived only one month after his inauguration, and 

JOHN TYLER — the Vice President became, under the Constitution, 
President, and was inaugurated 0th April, 1841. He had become one 
of the Whig partjr, having joined them for the purpose of defeating 
Van Buren, but at a meeting of Congress soon after his inauguration, 
he made the discovery that he had taken the wrong position, had joined 
the Whigs when in reality his principles did not coincide with theirs; 
so he fell, again, into the ranks of Democracy, and administered the 
Government upon Democratic principles for three years ten months and 
twenty-one days. He was succeeded by 

JAMES K. POLK— who was inaugurated 4th of March, 1845, and 
administered the Government four yeai's. On account of the Annexa- 
tion of Texas to the United States, the Mexicans declared war against the 
United States, and at the time of Polk's inauguration, they were march- 
ing to the Rio Grande w'ith orders to re-take Texas, and to invade this 
country; and they had the sympathy of the Whig party as well as the 
prayers of the Whig clergy throughout the United States ; and in Geor- 
gia, their Orators, their Congressmen, their Legislators, and the lowest 
vagabonds they had in their service, bj' way of distinction in speaking 
of the war, with noses turned up and lips curled, would call it "Jimmy 
Polk's War." But notwithstanding there were the Whigs at home and 
the Mexicans abroad to contend with, the United States conquered and 
peace was restored ; and for brilliancy and success the four years of 
Polk's administration stand unequalled by any known in history. Mr. 
Polk's successor was 

ZACHARY TAYLOR— who was inaugurated on 5th of March, 1849. 
He was the successful candidate of the Whig party. His election and 
administration came very near causing a dissolution of the Union. Al- 
though a gallant soldier, he was out of place in the President's Ch^r. 



23 

He died 9th of July, 1850, having administered the Government sixteen 
months and five days, and 

MILLARD FILLMORE— Vice President, took the oath of office 10th 
of July, 1850, and, in every instance where such a thing was possible, 
he carried out the Whig principles to the letter. His administration is 
memorable for his " Cuba Proclamation," and " Texas boundary " ques- 
tion. He was succeeded by 

FRANKLIN PIERCE— who was inaugurated 4th M^rch, 1853. He 
was a Democrat, and administered the Government upon true Demo- 
cratic principles. During his administration, the Know Nothing party 
was organized. This organization embraced all the Opposition to De- 
mocracy, and Kanzas was the theatre of action. But in spite of their 
efforts, Mr. Pierce's administration was popular, and he was succeeded 
by a Democratic President, 

JAMES BUCHANAN— who was inaugurated 4th of March, 1857, 
and is now the President of the United States, administering the Gov- 
ernment upon Democratic principles, and giving general satisfaction to 
all the Democrats throughout the limits of the Union. 

Thus, up to the present administration, we've had fourteen Presidents ; 
and, during this time, there have been 47 years, 10 months and 21 days 
of Democratic Administration, 12 years of mixed, and 8 years and 1 
month of Federal or anti-Democratic ; and although whenever a Dem- 
ocrat has been elected, the cry with the Opposition party has been " our 
country is ruined," we see that under Democratic administrations we 
have the strongest and best regulated Government ever known m the 
civilized world, and one that will bear the test of centuries. 

Our present Chief Magistrate is afibrding evidence of his worthiness 
of the confidence in him reposed. Long life to our gallant standard 
bearer — peace and prosperity to our Democratic-republican Government ! 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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